Bill Text: MS SB2218 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Teaching Fellows Program under the State Board of Education; make technical revisions.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2016-02-23 - Died In Committee [SB2218 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-SB2218-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Education; Appropriations
By: Senator(s) Tollison
Senate Bill 2218
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-106-77, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE AWARD AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPLICANTS TO THE TEACHING FELLOWS PROGRAM, CLARIFY REPAYMENT TERMS AND AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO SET REGULATIONS REGARDING STANDARDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-106-77, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-106-77. (1) There is
established the Teaching Fellows Program to attract qualified teachers by
awarding forgivable educational loans to persons declaring an intention
to * * *
pursue teaching * * * as a career, who * * * earn a teaching license, and who
render service in the State of Mississippi * * *.
(2) Beginning with the * * * 2016-2017 academic
year, the Teaching Fellows Program shall be used to provide a four-year
forgivable loan of * * * Eight Thousand
Dollars ($8,000.00) per year to Mississippi high school seniors * * * enrolled in a public four-year
institution and preparing to teach in the public schools of the state. The
awarding of forgivable loans under the Teaching Fellows Program shall be
administered by the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board. The * * *
State Board of Education shall adopt stringent standards, including a
minimum grade point average and * * * a minimum
score of twenty-three (23) on the ACT, for awarding these forgivable loans
to ensure that only the highest aptitude high school seniors receive them.
(3) The State Board of
Education shall administer the program in cooperation with the schools of
education of the universities and colleges selected by the board through a
proposal process. Teaching Fellows should * * * participate in a range of
extracurricular activities that enhance teacher preparation while in
college. These activities should be geared to instilling a strong motivation
not only to remain in teaching but to provide leadership for tomorrow's
schools.
(4) The State Board of
Education shall form regional review committees to assist it in identifying the
highest aptitude high school seniors and community college freshmen and
sophomores who may qualify for the program. The State Board of Education
and the review committees shall make an effort to identify and encourage
minority students and students who may not otherwise consider a career in
teaching to * * *
apply for the program.
(5) Repayment and conversion terms shall be the same as those outlined in Section 37-106-53 except that the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board shall forgive the loan in the following circumstances:
(a) Within seven (7) years after graduation, the recipient teaches for four (4) years at a Mississippi public school or at a school operated by the United States government in Mississippi. The recipient who teaches in geographical shortage areas as defined by the State Board of Education shall be eligible for incentive pay in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per year for a maximum of five (5) years;
(b) Within seven (7) years
after graduation, the recipient teaches for three (3) consecutive years, unless
the recipient takes an approved leave of absence, at a Mississippi public
school in a school district that at the time the recipient accepts reemployment
with the district * * * is under conservatorship or is a low-performing school system
identified in accordance with Section 37-17-6 or is on probation status as
defined by the State Board of Education; * * *
(c) Within seven (7) years after graduation, the recipient teaches for three (3) consecutive years, unless the recipient takes an approved leave of absence, at a Mississippi public school in a critical shortage subject area as defined by the State Board of Education; or
( * * *d) The board finds that it is
impossible for the recipient to teach for four (4) years, within seven (7)
years after graduation, at a Mississippi public school or at a school operated
by the United States government in Mississippi, because of the death or
permanent disability of the recipient.
(6) The State Board of Education and the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board shall jointly promulgate rules and regulations for the proper administration of the Teaching Fellows Program established under this section. The State Board of Education shall be the administering agency of the program.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.
